Whole Life Challenge

I’ve been doing the Whole Life Challenge since 2012! You might wonder – if you’ve been doing it for 5 years (for a total of 12+ challenges – I’ve lost count, to be honest), is it still a challenge?

The answer is YES. It definitely is because the Whole Life Challenge was designed to help you tweak your habits and daily practices to suit YOUR personal goals. The challenge provides basic parameters and a few rules, but in the end, you are in charge. You get to make the final decision about your choices … the challenge just holds you accountable.

Sometimes it’s easier to clarify what the Whole Life Challenge isn’t before getting into what it is …

What the WLC isn’t:

It isn’t a fad diet. Although paying attention to nutrition plays a significant role in the WLC, the purpose isn’t to completely restrict you from eating whatever it is you want to eat. Rather, its purpose is to steer you towards healthier, natural foods that best serve your body.

It isn’t a weight loss program. Although there are guidelines on what you should eat and there is a daily exercise quotient to fulfill, the challenge actually isn’t about weight loss. There are no guarantees or promises that you’ll lose 20 lbs in 8 weeks. Again, it is not a weight loss program.

It isn’t just for fitness fanatics. You don’t already have to be involved in any form of fitness regime to join the Whole Life Challenge. Since there are 3 levels of play to choose from, you can choose how you want to play depending on what your goals are. Whether you want to lose a few pounds, add muscle, or just do something different, the challenge can be tailored for you.

It isn’t going to sell you packages, products, powders, or pills. Aside from registering for the challenge, which gives you access to the scoreboard and support forums, you are not obligated to buy anything at all.

What the WLC is: Participating in the Whole Life Challenge makes you accountable for your choices, shows you how you can adapt to your circumstances, and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Accountability — For 8 weeks you are given a set of guidelines to follow. At the end of each day during those 8 weeks you have to log in a score. It does not matter whether you are perfect or not, but to get any level of credit for that day, you must log on. Knowing that you need to log on to record your score on a daily basis makes you more aware of the choices you are making throughout the day. It forces you to take a moment and ask yourself – Is that slice of pizza (or whatever food that’s not compliant) really worth sacrificing a point? If the answer is yes, then go ahead, enjoy your pizza. Just remember to deduct a point at the end of the day. When you get into a routine, it is easy to make decisions without thinking. You go to a nearby cafe for lunch and just order your usual sandwich without really taking a moment to look at other, possibly healthier, options. The WLC gives you the opportunity to take that step back and think about the choices you make. It reminds you that you are responsible for your actions – and that all actions have consequences. It holds you accountable.

Adaptability — Can you imagine going for 8 weeks without any sugar, any grains, any foods that have chemicals or preservatives, any dairy? Can you imagine exercising and stretching every single day for 8 weeks? The first response many people probably have is no! I know that was definitely my first thought. However, I know that as soon as I decided to do the WLC, I was determined to do my best. I started changing my habits slowly and I started to realize that everything that seemed impossible before really were possible. All I had to do was change my mindset and allow myself to be flexible. All of a sudden, taking at least 10 minutes to exercise each day wasn’t a big deal. I started going to bed and waking up just a bit earlier to ensure I had the time. I adapted my schedule and habits and soon my new actions were part of my regular routine. The WLC give you the opportunity to take control of your life and your choices. It reminds you that you do not have to be inflexible — and that you have the freedom to change. It helps you become adaptable.

Accomplishment — There are really no words to describe the sense of accomplishment you feel after completing the 8-week challenge. All those doubts that you feel at the beginning – I can’t do it. I’m not going to get a perfect score. I won’t be able to give up milk in my coffee … – start to disappear. That sense of accomplishment is not something you need to wait 8 weeks to feel. Not at all. In fact, getting through the 1st day with a perfect score is something to celebrate. The daily achievement becomes addictive. You start to feel compelled to make good decisions. Even though the challenge is not about being ‘perfect’ every single day, it is about taking some time to think about what you can accomplish each day. Some days are incredibly busy and you really don’t have enough energy to exercise. That’s ok. The focus is not on each day but rather your whole life. You’ve got to keep the bigger picture in mind and focus on changing what you can. Making changes to a comfortable routine is not easy. A lot of times it is the fear of the unknown that holds us back from even trying. The WLC gives you the opportunity to face that fear. It reminds you that just because you’ve been doing the same thing for X number of years doesn’t mean that you can’t change. It allows you celebrate your accomplishments.

If you’re ready to take a chance and see if you’ve got what it takes to do the Whole Life Challenge, join my team (Worldwide Warriors) via this link: http://www.whole.lc/wlc1705/pt/warriors